[This is a GRAND PRIX App vs. App Review! Congratulations to our second heat winner, Patrick, who gets a copy of last week's winning racer: Asphalt 4! Want a chance to win this week's? Comment below, and make sure you leave a valid email address in the comment form -- it won't be made public, but it will be used to contact you if you win! Check out the full contest details, then grab your iPhone and get ready race -- the GRAND PRIX starts now!]

Finishing off our TiPb GRAND PRIX and coming up the backstretch, we give you Moto Chaser (available from iTunes for $5.99) versus Auto Contra Sense (also available from iTunes for $1.99)! So we must ask again, who is going to get the checkered flag this time? Will it be the game with a throw-back to Road Rash-like gameplay or the one with a Spy Hunter type feel? See how they compare in Heat #3 of TiPb’s GRAND PRIX!

The Race Starts After the Break!

First Impressions

These two games are quite different. On one hand you have a no holds-barred, white knuckle racer, on the other, you have a slower paced methodical racing game that has more in line with a puzzler. Which will win?

Moto Chaser: This game is brought to you by Freeverse, Inc. This games boasts plenty of speed and excitement as you try your best to complete racing through a level as fast as you can! You earn extra time by clearing checkpoints, you can punch other bikers on the read (a-la Road Rash) and grab speed boost coins for that turbo-burst of wheelie speed that you will need to make it to the end of the level. 

Auto Contra Sense: This game is brought to you by Sonseo, Inc. (no, not the coffee machine company). This game is quite challenging! You must maneuver your car around traffic tilting the iPhone forward and to the side collecting coins and getting to the end of the level in one piece, and with a high score!

Graphics and Sound

Moto Chaser: This game moves fast and you really have a sense of speed in this game. You are typically going up and over hills, jumps and straight-always trying to get to a checkpoint. The graphics are quite good, placing it somewhere on the low-end PSP game, which is not too bad! I noticed little pop-up and there is plenty of scenery to absorb from bridges to lakes, this game is a beauty. The only detractor appeared in occasional slowdown when you went of course; the smoke appears to slow things down, however, since it happened every time, this could very well be intentional.

This game has an awesome soundtrack! There are rock tunes galore. Nothing I noticed by any existing recording artists, but very fun with melody and plenty of guitar!

Auto Contra Sense: This game is dramtically slower pace with 2D graphics in a top-down view. The graphics are simple and rather bland. You can change the look of your car to four different styles and color schemes, but they do not impact gameplay. I would really like to be more descriptive, but regardless of the level, your screen never really changes from what you see here. There is very little music in this game too. However, there are nice, subtle touches like when a truck is coming at you, the iPhone vibrates and you hear a honk from the oncoming vehicle.

Controls

Moto Chaser: To accelerate, you tap and hold the gas button located in the lower right screen. From there, simply tilt the iPhone left and right. At first, I really over compensated with the controls, but after a few minutes, I began to adjust to the sensitivity. In time, the controls become second nature. To pause, simply double-tap the timer in the top center of the screen. 

Auto Contra Sense: This game has unique controls; there is no accelerator or steering buttons. Instead, you tilt the iPhone forward and back to accelerate and decelerate then left and right to steer. Since the pace of the game is slow paced, these controls work well. As you avoid traffic and picking up coins for points, the accelerometer in the iPhone does a great job of sensing the slightest change in motion to ensure that you avoid the next on coming vehicle headed your way. However, the collision detection in the game is a little less accurate. If you so much as touch a pixel on another car, your car is destroyed and you lose a life. This aspect of the game really tested my patients. Even though the graphics are simple, it is fun to play until you have lost your twentieth life by barely touching the front left pixel of an on coming vehicle. 

Controls Result: I have to give this one to Moto Chaser as well. Even though there was a bit more of a learning curve to play, in the end, it was more rewarding due to its accuracy. I just got too frustrated with the Auto Contra Sense. Any progress I built up was immediately lost upon grazing a vehicle.

Gameplay and Value

Moto Chaser: This game can be purchased for $5.99 in iTunes and the App Store. I feel this is a great value for what you are getting. There are similar titles on the iPhone that have a $9.99 price tag on them. The tense checkpoint style gameplay in Moto Chaser is quite enjoyable. You can select multiple characters to play and can unlock several levels with different locations and graphics. If you like fast-time based games, Moto Chaser will deliver. 

Auto Contra Sense: This game can be purchased for $1.99 in iTunes and the App Store. If you are looking for a little frustrating distraction, give Auto Contra Sense a spin. The simple gameplay is addictive and can be very rewarding. There is even a training mode with unlimited lives. As the game progresses to high levels, the oncoming traffic begin to behave like drunk drivers, swerving in lanes, almost trying to take you out; this definitely adds to the challenge. For $1.99, this game is an almost impulse purchase. 

Gameplay and Value Result: Even at the higher price, I just had more fun with Moto Racer. Auto Contra Sense is a good game, but I want to come back and try to beat my times on Moto Racer. This is compelling gaming!

Conclusion

If you are looking for a game to show of the graphical awesomeness of the iPhone, get Moto Chaser. Not the prettiest game but it is a really good example of a fun portable game. If you are more methodical in your gaming, you might want to try Auto Contra Sense. Auto Contra Sense does of the ability to upload your score to compare to other players, almost giving this game a puzzle-like quality. 

In the end, if I have to choose Moto Chaser as this heat's winner. Presentation, gameplay and graphics are top notch on this racer!

WINNER: Moto Chaser!

[This is a GRAND PRIX App vs. App Review! Congratulations to our first winner, Dorthensensens, who gets a copy of last week's winning racer: Crash! Want a chance to win this week's? Comment below, and make sure you leave a valid email address in the comment form -- it won't be made public, but it will be used to contact you if you win! Check out the full contest details, then grab your iPhone and get ready race -- Heat 2 of the TiPb GRAND PRIX starts now!]

Continuing TiPb’s GRAND PRIX we have two racing games with sophisticated graphics and sweet controls. Introducing Asphalt 4 Elite Racing (available from iTunes for $9.99) and GTS World Racing (available from iTunes for $7.99)! So we must ask again, who is going to get the checkered flag this time? Will it be the game with Ridge Racer like controls or the one with a Gran Turismo type feel? See how they compare in Heat #2 of TiPb’s GRAND PRIX!

The Race Starts After the Break!

First Impressions

Asphalt 4: Asphalt 4 Elite Racing, from Gameloft, is rooted in mobile platforms, in fact, there have been previous versions for other, less-capable cell phones. From the quick look of it, the gameplay falls more in line with Ridge Racer than anything else. Which essentially means: expect a more arcade like feel which includes pumping up the Nitro and drift like mad.

Choose between a Wi-Fi multiplayer mode, 28 licensed cars, and 9 different cities all with great 3D graphics and intuitive gameplay.

GTS World: GTS World Racing, from Handmark Inc., falls more in life with “realistic” racing games, choosing to pass on gimmicky elements such as Nitro and throwing bones and instead focusing on excellent controls and great simulation of the driving experience.

With GTS World Racing you are able to pick between 4 different race modes (single, challenge, grand tour, and championship), 3 different cars, and a multitude of destinations.

Graphics and Sound

Asphalt 4: Asphalt 4 Elite Racing claims to have the “Best 3D Graphics on the iPhone” and though it’s a lofty claim, you’d be hard pressed to find anything better. The environments are wonderful, Los Angeles has a Los Angeles feel which is entirely different from New York and Paris. We at TiPb are simply amazed by the detail in the environment.

Also, because Asphalt 4 Elite Racing attempts to be more than just a simple racing simulator, you get the added bonus of oncoming traffic (hate those taxis), cones, and mid-race instant replay. The one negative about Asphalt 4 Elite Racing’s look and feel is the sound teeters on the verge of annoying. The screeches when drifting don’t seem accurate and the soundtrack could use some work.

GTS World: GTS World Racing is certainly pretty, make no mistake, but the destination cities don’t seem different enough and the 3 car choices limit the range of the graphics. It seems like Canada is the same as New Zealand and Morocco is a carbon copy of Kenya. The graphics of the car and the road are well made but overall the limited options don’t exactly allow for versatile images.

What is a plus of GTS World Racing is its world-class sound—acceleration sounds perfect, braking is on point, and accidentally driving off road sounds exactly as it should. To be fair, GTS World Racing is graphically great, just not varied enough to be sophisticated.

Graphics and Sound Result: Asphalt 4 Elite Racing, though the sound could use some work, we at TiPb would still rather have it be pretty looking than pretty sounding.

Controls

Asphalt 4: What’s great about Asphalt 4 Elite Racing is the control options that it offers. There are three options to choose from that uniquely use all of the iPhone’s features: a touch based control, an accelerometer based control, and an on screen steering wheel. I personally found the touch based control to be the best—tapping a direction on the screen inches your car toward that direction. The accelerometer control was a bit too sensitive for my taste and the on-screen steering wheel was not sensitive enough.

Giving the option of 3 different control schemes is remarkably obvious but genius at the same time: it lets the player choose what they are most comfortable with.

GTS World: Though GTS World Racing only offers one control system: an accelerometer based tilt left, tilt right, lean forward to go faster—it is quite possibly the most accurate use of the accelerometer to date. The standard sensitivity is perfect and I found myself in awe of how well it read my movements. You can’t nail the iPhone-as-steering wheel as well as GTS World Racing did.

Controls Result: GTS World Racing, though I loved the choices that Asphalt 4 Elite Racing offered, you just can’t deny how accurate the steering is in GTS World Racing. Compliments to them!

Gameplay and Value

Asphalt 4: Though Asphalt 4 Elite Racing hits the price ceiling for iPhone gaming ($9.99), the incredible depth of the game makes it well worth it. The plethora of car choices combined with the varied destinations makes this one of the most complete racing games available. Without even mentioning Wi-Fi multiplayer, which enhances its replay value, Asphalt 4 Elite Racing is as good a buy as there is in the App Store.

Gameplay is great because when starting Asphalt 4 Elite Racing you’re pressed to hit certain money landmarks to unlock new features. Therefore, Asphalt 4 Elite Racing offers depth not found in other iPhone games—you actually have to win races to advance and enhance your car.

GTS World: GTS World Racing offers multiple game modes but after a while the racing got more or less the same. The tracks are varied by difficulty but the environment remains the same—you either get green grass, dead grass, or ice.

To be fair, GTS World Racing gets bonus points for varying the different race types but after a while you can only do so much. Even for a racing die-hard winning the same race gets a tad bit boring.

Gameplay and Value Result: Asphalt 4 Elite Racing, though GTS World Racing offers great immediate value at $7.99 it simply doesn’t have the replay value of Asphalt 4 Elite Racing.

Conclusion

But this is TiPb’s GRAND PRIX and for each heat there can be only one winner and for this race we are going to go with Asphalt 4 Elite Racing. The game depth simply surpasses most iPhone games and the added replay value of Wi-Fi multiplayer cannot be discounted. Combine that with the amazing graphics and control schemes, Asphalt 4 Elite Racing is in our minds the favorite to win the ENTIRE TiPb GRAND PRIX.

WINNER: Asphalt 4 Elite Racing

[This is a GRAND PRIX App vs. App Review! Comment on this post for your chance to win... the winning racer! Make sure you leave a valid email address in the comment form -- it won't be made public, but it will be used to contact you if you win! Check out the full contest details, then grab your iPhone and get ready race -- the GRAND PRIX starts now!]

Kicking off our TiPb GRAND PRIX and starting from the pole position, we give you Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D (available from iTunes for $9.99) versus Cro-Mag Rally (also available from iTunes for $1.99)! Who is going to get the checkered flag today? The wily Crash Bandicoot or those lovable Neanderthals? See how they compare and see who we choose as the winner of heat #1. As I've always wanted to say, "Gentlemen (and ladies), START YOUR ENGINES!" (and keep up with us after the break!)

First Impressions

Both contenders enjoy a previous following from their original release on different platforms (Crash from Sony Playstation and Cro-Mag from Mac OS X), and fortunately for all of us, they are now both available for the iPhone. Let's take a look at both games while the engines are warming up!

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, from Vivendi Games Mobile, is a 3D Kart racing game in the spirit of Mario Kart. Race against AI opponents, grab power-ups along the way to better your chances of winning, and enjoy iPhone accelerometer-based controls and fluid graphics.

Choose from different modes of play: Quick Race drops you right into racing action, Cup Mode is a tournament-style racing series, and Story Mode is available as a quick unlock that adds plot to your racing fun.

Cro-Mag Rally, from Pangea Software, Inc., is also a 3D racer that resembles Crash and Mario with AI opponents, power-ups for both offensive and defensive weapons and car enhancements, and similar iPhone accelerometer-based controls and comparable graphics.

Choose your driver, be it caveman or cavewoman, and select from several different tracks of increasing difficulty and cars with varying performance characteristics.

Graphics and Sound

Crash: takes full advantage of what the iPhone's impressive display has to offer. Rich colors, fluid movement, and even the nice touch of sunlight reflecting off the "lens" adds a little depth to this game. On-screen displays include a heads-up of the track and your location in proximity to your opponents, your racing time and position, and access to power-ups you pick up along the way. On occasion, the game loses a bit of fluid movement when things get really hairy, but only for a split second and registers very low on the annoyance index.

Cro-Mag: very comparable to Crash in that it is also very fluid and colorful. There is the occasional noticeable lag, but also like Crash, it is brief and doesn't meaningfully detract from the overall experience. On-screen displays include a heads-up track with racer's positions, a "forward" and "reverse" button, brake button, power-ups button, and your racing position.

Both games have nice sound with catchy tunes, although my preference leans a bit toward Cro-Mag for it's music. Otherwise, graphics are very comparable and it's difficult to give either game an edge here.

Graphics and Sound Results: TIE

Controls

Crash: driving your Kart is fairly straight-forward; hold your iPhone comfortably in front of you and "steer" left or right. The iPhone's accelerometer is nicely calibrated for good steering responsiveness. Interestingly enough, Crash removes the option of controlling your speed in the traditional sense. Instead of worrying about pressing on the gas pedal, your Kart accelerates to full speed and you can control your speed around corners in a "Tokyo Drift"-esque manner. Pressing your thumbs on each side of the screen will power-slide your Kart left or right for cornering. Just tap the screen lower right to use your power-ups and lower left to pause your game.

Cro-Mag: like Crash, hold your iPhone in like fashion and "steer" left and right and let your iPhone's accelerometer do the heavy lifting. Unlike Crash, Cro-Mag is more traditional in that there is an up/down arrow at bottom left for "forward" and "reverse", a wheel next to the arrow for braking, and a bone on the right side of your screen for activating power-ups and throwing objects either to your front or behind you. I never use the brake, but that's just how I roll.

Both games have easy controls that fit well with their respective style of game-play, so unless you have a particular bias toward one or the other, they are both very comparable.

Controls: TIE

Gameplay and Value

Crash: gameplay and value (replay value) factors heavily in giving Crash an edge here. There are multiple racing modes: Quick Race throws you straight into the racing action with your choice of unlocked vehicles; Cup Mode is a tournament-style race around four different tracks with points awarded based on your placement, the winner determined by total points after all four races; and Story Mode, which is unlocked early in the game, adding plot and automatically mixing up your vehicle selection, opponents and number of laps. Some other nice features are available unlocks as you progress through the game (like Story Mode and Time Trial Mode) and the storing of best times to measure your progress. Additionally, the game saves your progress and allows you to resume (handy if you are interrupted by a call or need to stop playing for something like eating, work, sleep, etc.). Crash is also reasonably priced at $9.99.

Cro-Mag: when this app was first introduced and sold in the iTunes App Store, it was $9.99. In the past few days, it has dropped all the way down to $1.99, making it a no-brainer to have on your iPhone. Cro-Mag offers up 9 tracks with increasing difficulty and landscapes that vary from desert and jungle to snow and underwater. Also, you have immediate access to 11 different vehicles with varying characteristics for speed, acceleration, traction and suspension. There are two game modes: Gather Mode requires collecting arrowheads along the way, then win the race; Race Mode pits you against three AI opponents and three laps to win. Having all the goods up front is fun, but also exposes a weakness in this game in that nothing is earned along the way. Each race is a race unto itself and there are no unlocks or merit for progression and improvement. With that aside, I am impressed with the ability to throw power-ups (like exploding bones, bottle rockets, and homing pigeons, to name a few) both forward and behind to delay your opponents. The lack of any kind of earned unlocks is offset by the current low price of $1.99, and the variety of cars and tracks give this game some replay value over the long haul.

Although I'm tempted to issue another "Tie" based on the features offered for price paid, I still give the edge to Crash for better gameplay and replay value. Although it's more expensive at $9.99, it still offers more replay value.

Gameplay and Value: CRASH

Conclusion

Both Crash and Cro-Mag are excellent racing games for the iPhone, but in the end, it's almost a photo-finish. Although a close match in almost every category, Crash pulls away at the end with better gameplay and replay value by offering more modes of play, a resume game feature, best times, and progressively unlocking better vehicles and additional modes of play. Fortunately, both are priced nicely and there should be room for both on your iPhone.

WINNER: Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D!

[Want a chance to win Crash? Leave your comment below. Winner announced next week along with the TiPb GRAND PRIX second heat!]

The developer lets us know [via Giz] that famously lawsuit-happy Tetris©-IP-owners "The Tetris© Company" has contacted him and told him he has to take down Tris. Noah writes:

That, I'm afraid, is essentially game over. Do they have a case? No. Not really. I am convinced that if it went to court, the "copyright" claim would get thrown out completely. The trademark, perhaps not — but if I changed the name, to e.g. “Trys”, that would be much harder for them to argue.

But, like most of us, he's not keen on the idea of taking on a big company like "The Tetris© Company" so that he can offer his Tetris©-alike game. You can still find Tris (not to be confused with Tetris©) for free in the App Store as of this writing, so go grab it.

For what it's worth, "The Tetris© Company" has gone after pretty much every other Tetris©-alike game on every other mobile platform out there, so this is a long piece© fitting into just that one four-by-one slot© for "The Tetris© Company:" something they work very hard at achieving and when they get it, their eyes light up with joy at having cleared their board.

Oh, and for good measure: Tetris© is a trademark of "The Tetris© Company." ©©